Animated decoy spreader

ABSTRACT

A device for spreading fowl decoys on the surface of a body of water. A hub sits below the surface is removably coupleable with up to four arm arrangements. Arm arrangements are jointed, allowing hub and arm arrangements to sit below the surface of the water while decoys float on surface. Hub is connected to an anchor on the bottom of the body of water, and can be displaced horizontally with a pull cord. Cords in the arm arrangements allow for near-random motion of attached decoys, simulating a swimming motion of fowl. Hub can be displaced vertically with a pull cord, causing the decoys to dip head first into the water, simulating a feeding motion of water fowl. Hubs can be combined by coupling arm arrangements from each hub. When displaced horizontally in the water, hubs not attached to the pull cord move semi-randomly, creating more random motion in decoys.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patentapplication No. 62/023,792, filed Jul. 11, 2014 (our ref HRDB-1-1001).The foregoing application is incorporated in its entirety as if fullyset forth herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to hunting decoys, and morespecifically, to animated decoy formations for water fowl.

BACKGROUND

Hunters of water fowl have long sought methods by which they can lureducks, geese, and other water birds closer to the hunter. Decoys havebeen implemented to give water fowl a sense of security in drawing neara body of water. The more realistic the decoy appears, the moreeffective it is. Decoys exist in embodiments that range from completelystationary to “flying”, but it is difficult to accurately simulatenatural movements of fowl. The decoys that currently exist arestationary, are subject to limited or unnatural motion, or move with theuse of complicated mechanisms and machinery, sometimes relying onelectrical power, none of which are ideal for a task that necessarilytakes place in water. The present invention provides a simple,water-compatible decoy system that allows the hunter to simulate thenatural motion of water fowl with a plurality of decoys.

SUMMARY

This invention relates generally to hunting decoys, and morespecifically, to animated decoy formations for water fowl.

One exemplary embodiment of the decoy spreader may include: a hubincluding at least one aperture; an arm arrangement, including a tubularmember with a far end and a hub end, the hub end removably received bythe aperture of the hub, and the tubular member being hollow from thefar end to the hub end; and an elastic cable disposed through the hollowof the tubular member and the aperture of the hub. In a furtherembodiment, the arm arrangement may include a cylinder having a shorterlength than the tubular member and being hollow from a first end of thecylinder to a second end of the cylinder, wherein the elastic cord isdisposed through the hollow of the cylinder, the hollow of the tubularmember, and the aperture of the hub. In another embodiment, the armarrangement may include a third hollow segment having substantially thesame length as the tubular member and located between the tubular memberand the cylinder, wherein the elastic cord is disposed through thehollow of the cylinder, the hollow of the third segment, the hollow ofthe tubular member, and the aperture of the hub. In an alternateembodiment, the arm arrangement may include a third hollow segmenthaving substantially the same length as the cylinder and located betweenthe tubular member and the cylinder, wherein the elastic cord isdisposed through the hollow of the cylinder, the hollow of the thirdsegment, the hollow of the tubular member, and the aperture of the hub.In another embodiment, the third hollow segment may be of a lengthsubstantially different from the lengths of the tubular member and thecylinder, wherein the elastic cord is disposed through the hollow of thecylinder, the hollow of the third segment, the hollow of the tubularmember, and the aperture of the hub.

In some embodiments, the arm arrangement may further include aconnecting member located at the far end of the arm arrangement andcapable of coupling with a decoy. In a further embodiment, theconnecting member may be comprised of a wire, at one end of which is acatch into which the other end is inserted to form a closed loop, and aneyelet, wherein the elastic cord is disposed through the eyelet.

In another exemplary embodiment, the hub of the decoy spreader may becomprised of a disk, including a top surface, a bottom surface, and anedge defining a cylindrical shape, wherein the edge includes at leastone aperture. In another embodiment, the hub may be comprised of achannel with a first end on a first side of the hub and a second end ona second side of the hub, wherein the first end is a first aperture andthe second end is a second aperture. In further exemplary embodiment,the decoy spreader may be comprised of a hub including a first channeland a second channel; a first arm arrangement, a second arm arrangement,a third arm arrangement, and a fourth arm arrangement; a first elasticcable disposed through the hollow of the first arm arrangement, thefirst channel, and the hollow of the second arm arrangement; and asecond elastic cable disposed through the hollow of the third armarrangement, the second channel, and the hollow of the fourth armarrangement.

In some embodiments, the decoy spreader may include an anchor and a cordcoupling the anchor with the hub. In a further embodiment, the decoyspreader may include an inelastic anchor cord disposed through a loop onthe anchor and through a loop on a surface of the hub. In anotherembodiment, the cord coupling the anchor with the hub may be furtherdisposed through a handle, wherein the handle is retained by the huntersuch that the hunter can move the hub by tugging on the cord. In anotherembodiment, the cord coupling the anchor with the hub comprises mayinclude an elastic anchor cord disposed through a loop on the anchor andthrough a loop on a surface of the hub. In a further embodiment, thedecoy spreader may include an inelastic pull cord disposed through theloop on the surface of the hub and a handle.

In another exemplary embodiment, the decoy spreader may be comprised ofa hub including an aperture; a first arm arrangement, including a hollowtubular member with a far end and a hub end, the hub end removablyreceived by the aperture of the hub; and a second arm arrangement, thesecond arm arrangement configured like the first arm arrangement; anelastic cable disposed through the hollow of the first arm arrangement,the aperture of the hub, and the hollow of the second arm arrangement.In a further embodiment, the decoy spreader may include: a hub includinga first aperture and a second aperture; a first arm arrangement, asecond arm arrangement, a third arm arrangement, and a fourth armarrangement; a first elastic cable disposed through the hollow of thefirst arm arrangement, the first aperture, and the hollow of the secondarm arrangement; and a second elastic cable disposed through the hollowof the third arm arrangement, the second aperture, and the hollow of thefourth arm arrangement. In another embodiment, the decoy spreader mayinclude: a first connecting member located at the far end of the firstarm arrangement and coupled with the first elastic cable; a secondconnecting member located at the far end of the second arm arrangementand coupled with the first elastic cable; a third connecting memberlocated at the far end of the third arm arrangement and coupled with thesecond elastic cable; and a fourth connecting member located at the farend of the fourth arm arrangement and coupled with the second elasticcable.

In another exemplary embodiment, the decoy spreader may be comprised of:a first hub and a second hub, each including at least one aperture; afirst arm arrangement coupled with the first hub, including a hollowtubular member with a far end and a hub end, the hub end removablyreceived by the aperture of the hub; a second arm arrangement configuredlike the first arm arrangement and coupled with the second hub; a firstelastic cable disposed through the hollow of the first arm arrangementand the aperture of the first hub; a second elastic cable disposedthrough the hollow of the second arm arrangement and the aperture of thesecond hub; and a connector bar coupled with the far end of the firstarm arrangement and the far end of the second arm arrangement.

In another embodiment, the hub may be comprised of a channel with afirst end on a first side of the hub and a second end on a second sideof the hub, wherein the first end is a first aperture and the second endis a second aperture. In a further embodiment, the decoy spreader may becomprised of: a first hub including a first channel; a second hubincluding a second channel; a first arm arrangement, a second armarrangement, a third arm arrangement, and a fourth arm arrangement; afirst elastic cable disposed through the hollow of the first armarrangement, the first channel, and the hollow of the second armarrangement; a second elastic cable, the second elastic cable disposedthrough the hollow of the third arm arrangement, the second channel, andthe hollow of the fourth arm arrangement a connector bar, wherein theconnector bar is coupled with the far end of the first arm arrangementand the far end of the third arm arrangement; and wherein the far end ofthe second arm arrangement is coupled directly with the far end of thefourth arm arrangement. In another embodiment, the decoy spreader may becomprised of: a first hub including a first channel and a secondchannel; a second hub including a third channel and a fourth channel; afirst arm arrangement, a second arm arrangement, a third armarrangement, a fourth arm arrangement, a fifth arm arrangement, a sixtharm arrangement, a seventh arm arrangement, and an eighth armarrangement; a first elastic cable disposed through the hollow of thefirst arm arrangement, the first channel, and the hollow of the secondarm arrangement; a second elastic cable disposed through the hollow ofthe third arm arrangement, the second channel, and the hollow of thefourth arm arrangement; a third elastic cable disposed through thehollow of the fifth arm arrangement, the third channel, and the hollowof the sixth arm arrangement; a fourth elastic cable disposed throughthe hollow of the seventh arm arrangement, the fourth channel, and thehollow of the eighth arm arrangement; a connector bar coupled with thefar end of the fourth arm arrangement and the far end of the seventh armarrangement; and wherein the far end of the first arm arrangement iscoupled directly with the far end of the sixth arm arrangement.

In addition to the foregoing, various other systems and/or productembodiments are set forth and described in the teachings such as thetext (e.g., claims, drawings and/or the detailed description) and/ordrawings of the present disclosure.

The foregoing is a summary and thus contains, by necessity,simplifications, generalizations and omissions of detail; consequently,those skilled in the art will appreciate that the summary isillustrative only and is NOT intended to be in any way limiting. Otheraspects, embodiments, features and advantages of the device and/orprocesses and/or other subject matter described herein will becomeapparent in the teachings set forth herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Certain embodiments of the present invention are described in detailbelow with reference to the following drawings:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the animated decoy spreader.

FIG. 2a is a side view of the animated decoy spreader in an anchoredposition.

FIG. 2b is a side view of the animated decoy spreader in a displacedposition.

FIG. 3a is a side view of the animated decoy spreader in an anchoredposition, shown in the feeding configuration.

FIG. 3b is a side view of the animated decoy spreader in a displacedposition, shown in the feeding configuration.

FIG. 4a is a detailed view of the hub and arm arrangements for a firstanimated decoy spreader.

FIG. 4b is a detailed view of the hub in an alternate cableconfiguration.

FIG. 5a is a detailed view of the hub and arm arrangements for a secondanimated decoy spreader.

FIG. 5b is a detailed view of the hub in an alternate cableconfiguration.

FIG. 6a is a detailed view of the arm arrangements for a first animateddecoy spreader, showing a protective element between two arm components.

FIG. 6b is a detailed view of the arm arrangements for a second animateddecoy spreader, showing the cable as a chain.

FIG. 7a is an isometric view of the animated decoy spreader in acollapsed state.

FIG. 7b is an isometric view of the animated decoy spreader in acollapsed state, showing the tubular member as removably coupleableelements.

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of a first animated decoy spreader coupledwith a second animated decoy spreader by way of a connector bar.

FIG. 9 is an isometric view of a first animated decoy spreader coupledwith a second animated decoy spreader by way of a connector cord.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This invention relates generally to hunting decoys, and morespecifically, to animated decoy formations for water fowl. Specificdetails of certain embodiments of the invention are set forth in thefollowing description and in FIGS. 1-9 to provide a thoroughunderstanding of such embodiments. The present invention may haveadditional embodiments, may be practiced without one or more of thedetails described for any particular described embodiment, or may haveany detail described for one particular embodiment practiced with anyother detail described for another embodiment.

Importantly, a grouping of inventive aspects in any particular“embodiment” within this detailed description, and/or a grouping oflimitations in the claims presented herein, is not intended to be alimiting disclosure of those particular aspects and/or limitations tothat particular embodiment and/or claim. The inventive entity presentingthis disclosure fully intends that any disclosed aspect of anyembodiment in the detailed description and/or any claim limitation everpresented relative to the instant disclosure and/or any continuingapplication claiming priority from the instant application (e.g.continuation, continuation-in-part, and/or divisional applications) maybe practiced with any other disclosed aspect of any embodiment in thedetailed description and/or any claim limitation. Claimed combinationswhich draw from different embodiments and/or originally-presented claimsare fully within the possession of the inventive entity at the time theinstant disclosure is being filed. Any future claim comprising anycombination of limitations, each such limitation being herein disclosedand therefore having support in the original claims or in thespecification as originally filed (or that of any continuing applicationclaiming priority from the instant application), is possessed by theinventive entity at present irrespective of whether such combination isdescribed in the instant specification because all such combinations areviewed by the inventive entity as currently operable without undueexperimentation given the disclosure herein and therefore that any suchfuture claim would not represent new matter.

The present invention is an animated decoy spreader. It is designed toallow hunters to simulate the natural swimming and feeding motions ofwater fowl. Past attempts to create moving decoys have led to decoysthat are stationary with moving parts, decoys that go in only onedirection, and decoys that rely on complex mechanical or electricalsystems to move the decoy. In an environment that necessarily includeswater, mechanical and electrical systems can be corroded or destroyed.The present invention is a simple machine using a pulley type motion incombination with elastic components to pull decoys to and fro whileallowing for significant randomness in the motion of the decoys. Thiscreates the appearance of a small flock of water fowl swimming andfeeding on a body of water while overcoming the shortcomings of pastattempts.

FIG. 1 is an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In oneembodiment, the decoy spreader may be comprised of a hub 100. In oneexemplary embodiment, hub 100 is a disk with a top surface 101, a bottomsurface 102, and a cylindrical edge 103. In another embodiment, hub 100may be spherical, square, a cross or “x” shape, a star shape, or anyother shape without altering the function of the hub. Hub 100 may be anymanner of rigid or semi-rigid material, such as a metal, wood, rubber,plastic, etc., without altering the function of the hub. The primaryfunction of hub 100 is to centrally locate the decoy arrangement. Thesecondary function of hub 100 is to sink into the body of water,rendering the hub and other portions of the decoy spreader invisible tobirds. This will be discussed in further detail in another portion ofthe specification.

In some embodiments, hub 100 is further comprised of a first aperture104 on a first side 105. See FIG. 4a . In some embodiments, aperture 104may lead to a first channel 106, which terminates at a second aperture107 on a second side 108. In some embodiments, first side 105 and secondside 108 may be adjacent sides. In some embodiments, first side 105 maybe 180 degrees, or directly opposite, from the second side 108. In someembodiments, hub 100 may have a third aperture 109 on a third side 110.In some embodiments, a third aperture 109 may lead to a second channel111, which terminates at a fourth aperture 112 on a fourth side 113 ofhub 100. In some embodiments, hub 100 may have a fifth, sixth, seventh,eighth, etc. aperture, and each aperture may lead to at least onechannel. This disclosure should not be construed as limiting the numberof apertures or channels available in a hub. In some embodiments, hub100 may have an eyelet 114, a loop, a hole, a ring, or some other meansby which the hub can be coupled with a cord, a string, or some otherflexible material. In some embodiments, hub 100 may include a pull cord115. In one embodiment, pull cord 115 may be an elastic cord. In someembodiments, pull cord 115 may be an inelastic cord. In someembodiments, pull cord 115 may be a flexible material, such as fishingline, bungee material, rope, etc. In some embodiments, pull cord 115 maybe a rigid material, such as metal, plastic, wood, etc. In someembodiments, pull cord 115 may be disposed through a handle. Thefunction of pull cord 115 is to allow hub 100 to be moved through thebody of water, which induces movement in the decoy array. Pull cord 115can be any manner of material without impacting the function of the pullcord. FIG. 2 is an environmental view of the animated decoy spreader. Insome embodiments, the decoy spreader may be comprised of an anchor 116which sits on the bottom of the body of water. In some embodiments,anchor 116 may be stuck into the bottom of the body of water, such as arod inserted several inches into the ground. In some embodiments, anchor116 may be disposed on a bank of the body of water. The function ofanchor 116 is to locate hub 100 in a particular place in the body ofwater. In some embodiments, anchor 116 is coupled with hub 100 viaanchor cord 117, which may pass through a hub eyelet 114 and an anchoreyelet 118. Anchor chord 117 may be an elastic or an inelastic flexiblematerial, such as a fishing line or bungee type material. In oneconfiguration, hub 100 is displaced via pull cord 115, and then returnedto the anchor location by anchor cord 117. This allows the decoyarrangement to move to and fro in the water, simulating a naturalswimming motion of water fowl. In another embodiment, anchor 116 iscoupled with hub 100 with pull cord 115. In this configuration, thedecoy arrangement is pulled under the surface of the water by someamount, simulating the natural feeding motion of water fowl. See FIG. 3.

In some embodiments, the decoy spreader is further comprised of an armarrangement 200. See e.g. FIG. 4, 6. Arm arrangement 200 may becomprised of a tubular member 201. Tubular member 201 has a hub end 202and a far end 203, and it is hollow from the hub end to the far end. Insome embodiments, the far end may contain a grommet. In someembodiments, the grommet may be a single piece. In some embodiments, thegrommet may include an insertable piece and a cap piece. In someembodiments, the far end may have a protective coating. In someembodiments, the far end may have rounded edges. In some embodiments,the far end may be configured to prevent destructive friction on acable. In some embodiments, tubular member 201 may be composed of two ormore separable portions of substantially equal length and substantiallyequal diameter, as depicted in FIG. 7b . In some embodiments, theseparable portions may be of unequal length. This allows the decoyspreader to collapse for transportation and storage. In someembodiments, these two portions may be joined by a ferrule 212. In someembodiments, these two portions may be joined by a male-female joint. Insome embodiments, these two portions may be joined in any manner bywhich they are removably coupled, such as threads, snaps, etc., withoutaltering the function of tubular member 201. In some embodiments, armarrangement 200 may also include a cable 210. In an exemplaryembodiment, cable 210 is disposed through aperture 104 and through thehollow of tubular member 201, coupling the tubular member with hub 100.In some embodiments, cable 210 may include a protective element, as seenin FIG. 6a . In some embodiments, cable 210 is inelastic. See FIG. 6b .In another embodiment, cable 210 is elastic. In some embodiments, cable210 may be comprised of more than one segment. In some embodiments, eachsegment may be elastic. In some embodiments, each segment may beinelastic. In some embodiments, some segments may be elastic while othersegments are inelastic. The primary function of cable 210 is to couplearm arrangement 200 with hub 100 such that tubular member 201 isremovably coupleable with aperture 104. Cable 210 may be any flexiblematerial without altering the function of the cable.

In some embodiments, arm arrangement 200 may be further comprised of acylinder 204. Cylinder 204 is hollow from a first end 205 to a secondend 206, and may be of substantially the same diameter as tubular member201. In another embodiment, cylinder 204 may be a shorter length thantubular member 201. In some embodiments, cylinder 204 may besubstantially the same length as tubular member 201. In someembodiments, cylinder 204 may be longer than tubular member 201. In someembodiments, cylinder 204 is located at the far end of tubular member201. In some embodiments cylinder 204 is located between hub 100 andtubular member 201. In some embodiments, the first end may contain agrommet. In some embodiments, the grommet may be a single piece. In someembodiments, the grommet may include an insertable piece and a cappiece. In some embodiments, the first end may have a protective coating.In some embodiments, the first end may have rounded edges. The primaryfunction of cylinder 204 is to create a joint in arm arrangement 200.This permits hub 100 to float below the surface of the body of waterwhile decoys float on the surface, disguising the hub and armarrangement 200 from the view of passing fowl. The secondary function ofcylinder 204 is to allow the decoy spreader to collapse fortransportation and storage. In some embodiments, cable 210 may bedisposed through aperture 104, through the hollow of tubular member 201,and through the hollow of cylinder 204, coupling the tubular member andcylinder with hub 100. In some embodiments, cable 210 may include aprotective element between tubular member 201 and cylinder 204, as seenin FIG. 6 a.

FIG. 4 is a detailed view two alternate embodiments of the animateddecoy spreader. In one embodiment, arm arrangement 200 may have aconnecting member 207. In some embodiments, connecting member 207 may bean elastic material. In some embodiments, connecting member 207 may be arigid material. In another embodiment, connecting member 207 is a loop208. Loop 208 may be a single member with a catch 209 at one end intowhich the opposite end can be removably inserted to form a closed loop.Loop 208 may be a wire or any other semi-rigid material that allows theloop to open and close into itself. In some embodiments, connectingmember 207 may be coupled with cable 210. In some embodiments, cable 210is disposed through a loop on connecting member 207 and then crimped tosecure connecting member 207 to arm arrangement 200. In someembodiments, connecting member 207 is coupled with cable 210 with acement. In some embodiments, connecting member 207 is tied to cable 210with a knot. In some embodiments, cable 210 may be a chain, a link ofwhich may be coupled with connecting member 207 by passing through aloop on the connecting member or by weld. There are many methods bywhich connecting member 207 can be coupled with cable 210 withoutimpacting the function of either member.

In some embodiments, the decoy spreader may be comprised of a second armarrangement 300. Arm arrangement 300 may be comprised of a tubularmember 301. Tubular member 301 has a hub end 302 and a far end 303, andit is hollow from the hub end to the far end. In some embodiments, thefar end may contain a grommet. In some embodiments, the grommet may be asingle piece. In some embodiments, the grommet may include an insertablepiece and a cap piece. In some embodiments, the far end may have aprotective coating. In some embodiments, the far end may have roundededges. In some embodiments, the far end may be configured to preventdestructive friction on a cable. In some embodiments, tubular member 301may be composed two or more separable portions of substantially equallength and substantially equal diameter, as depicted in FIG. 7b . Insome embodiments, the separable portions may be of unequal length. Thisallows the decoy spreader to collapse for transportation and storage. Insome embodiments, these two portions may be joined by a ferrule 312. Insome embodiments, these two portions may be joined by a male-femalejoint. In some embodiments, these two portions may be joined in anymanner by which they are removably coupled, such as threads, snaps,etc., without altering the function of tubular member 301. In someembodiments, arm arrangement 300 may also include a cable 310. In anexemplary embodiment, cable 310 is disposed through aperture 107 andthrough the hollow of tubular member 301, coupling the tubular memberwith hub 100. In some embodiments, cable 310 is inelastic. In anotherembodiment, cable 310 is elastic. In some embodiments, cable 310 may becomprised of more than one segment. In some embodiments, each segmentmay be elastic. In some embodiments, each segment may be inelastic. Insome embodiments, some segments may be elastic while other segments areinelastic. The primary function of cable 310 is to couple armarrangement 300 with hub 100 such that tubular member 301 is removablycoupleable with aperture 107. Cable 310 may be any flexible materialwithout altering the function of the cable.

In some embodiments, cable 210 and cable 310 may be a single cable. Inthis exemplary embodiment, cable 210 may be disposed through armarrangement 200, aperture 104, channel 106, aperture 107, and armarrangement 300. FIG. 4a is a depiction of this exemplary embodiment. Insome embodiments, cable 210 and cable 410 may be a single cable. FIG. 4bis a depiction of this exemplary embodiment.

In some embodiments, arm arrangement 300 may be further comprised of acylinder 304. Cylinder 304 is hollow from a first end 305 to a secondend 306, and may be of substantially the same diameter as tubular member301. In another embodiment, cylinder 304 may be a shorter length thanthe tubular member 301. In some embodiments, cylinder 304 may besubstantially the same length as tubular member 301. In someembodiments, cylinder 304 may be longer than tubular member 301. In someembodiments, cylinder 304 is located at the far end of tubular member301. In some embodiments cylinder 304 is located between hub 100 andtubular member 301. In some embodiments, the first end may contain agrommet. In some embodiments, the grommet may be a single piece. In someembodiments, the grommet may include an insertable piece and a cappiece. In some embodiments, the first end may have a protective coating.In some embodiments, the first end may have rounded edges. The primaryfunction of cylinder 304 is to create a joint in arm arrangement 300.This permits hub 100 to float below the surface of the body of waterwhile decoys float on the surface, disguising the hub and armarrangement 300 from the view of passing fowl. The secondary function ofcylinder 304 is to allow the decoy spreader to collapse fortransportation and storage. In some embodiments, cable 310 may bedisposed through aperture 104, through the hollow of tubular member 301,and through the hollow of cylinder 304, coupling the tubular member andcylinder with hub 100. In some embodiments, cable 310 may include aprotective element between tubular member 301 and cylinder 304, as seenin FIG. 6 a.

In another embodiment, arm arrangement 300 may have a connecting member307. In some embodiments, connecting member 307 may be an elasticmaterial. In some embodiments, connecting member 307 may be a rigidmaterial. In another embodiment, connecting member 307 is a loop 308.Loop 308 may be a single member with a catch 309 at one end into whichthe opposite end can be removably inserted to form a closed loop. Loop308 may be a wire or any other semi-rigid material that allows the loopto open and close into itself. In some embodiments, connecting member307 may be coupled with cable 310. In some embodiments, cable 310 isdisposed through a loop on connecting member 307 and then crimped tosecure connecting member 307 to arm arrangement 300. In someembodiments, connecting member 307 is coupled with cable 310 with acement. In some embodiments, connecting member 307 is tied to cable 310with a knot. In some embodiments, cable 310 may be a chain, one link ofwhich may be coupled with connecting member 307 by passing through aloop or by weld. There are many methods by which connecting member 307can be coupled with cable 310 without impacting the function of eithermember.

In some embodiments, the decoy spreader may have a third arm arrangement400. Arm arrangement 400 may be comprised of a tubular member 401.Tubular member 401 has a hub end 402 and a far end 403, and it is hollowfrom the hub end to the far end. In some embodiments, the far end maycontain a grommet. In some embodiments, the grommet may be a singlepiece. In some embodiments, the grommet may include an insertable pieceand a cap piece. In some embodiments, the far end may have a protectivecoating. In some embodiments, the far end may have rounded edges. Insome embodiments, the far end may be configured to prevent destructivefriction on a cable. In some embodiments, tubular member 401 may becomposed of two or more separable portions of substantially equal lengthand substantially equal diameter, as depicted in FIG. 7b . In someembodiments, the separable portions may be of unequal length. Thisallows the decoy spreader to collapse for transportation and storage. Insome embodiments, these two portions may be joined by a ferrule 412. Insome embodiments, these two portions may be joined by a male-femalejoint. In some embodiments, these two portions may be joined in anymanner by which they are removably coupled, such as threads, snaps,etc., without altering the function of tubular member 401. In someembodiments, arm arrangement 400 may also include a cable 410. In anexemplary embodiment, cable 410 is disposed through aperture 109 andthrough the hollow of tubular member 401, coupling the tubular memberwith hub 100. In some embodiments, cable 410 is inelastic. In anotherembodiment, cable 410 is elastic. In some embodiments, cable 410 may becomprised of more than one segment. In some embodiments, each segmentmay be elastic. In some embodiments, each segment may be inelastic. Insome embodiments, some segments may be elastic while other segments areinelastic. The primary function of cable 410 is to couple armarrangement 400 with hub 100 such that tubular member 401 is removablycoupleable with aperture 104. Cable 410 may be any flexible materialwithout altering the function of the cable.

In some embodiments, arm arrangement 400 may be further comprised of acylinder 404. Cylinder 404 is hollow from a first end 405 to a secondend 406, and may be of substantially the same diameter as tubular member401. In another embodiment, cylinder 404 may be a shorter length thantubular member 401. In some embodiments, cylinder 404 may besubstantially the same length as tubular member 401. In someembodiments, cylinder 404 may be longer than tubular member 401. In someembodiments, cylinder 404 is located at the far end of tubular member401. In some embodiments cylinder 404 is located between hub 100 andtubular member 401. In some embodiments, the first end may contain agrommet. In some embodiments, the grommet may be a single piece. In someembodiments, the grommet may include an insertable piece and a cappiece. In some embodiments, the first end may have a protective coating.In some embodiments, the first end may have rounded edges. The primaryfunction of cylinder 404 is to create a joint in arm arrangement 400.This permits hub 100 to float below the surface of the body of waterwhile decoys float on the surface, disguising the hub and armarrangement 400 from the view of passing fowl. The secondary function ofcylinder 404 is to allow the decoy spreader to collapse fortransportation and storage. In some embodiments, cable 410 may bedisposed through aperture 109, through the hollow of tubular member 401,and through the hollow of cylinder 404, coupling the tubular member andcylinder with hub 100. In some embodiments, cable 410 may include aprotective element between tubular member 401 and cylinder 404, as seenin FIG. 6 a.

In another embodiment, arm arrangement 400 may have a connecting member407. In some embodiments, connecting member 407 may be an elasticmaterial. In some embodiments, connecting member 407 may be a rigidmaterial. In another embodiment, connecting member 407 is a loop 408.Loop 408 may be a single member with a catch 409 at one end into whichthe opposite end can be removably inserted to form a closed loop. Loop408 may be a wire or any other semi-rigid material that allows the loopto open and close into itself. In some embodiments, connecting member407 may be coupled with cable 410. In some embodiments, cable 410 isdisposed through a loop on connecting member 407 and then crimped tosecure connecting member 407 to arm arrangement 400. In someembodiments, connecting member 407 is coupled with cable 410 with acement. In some embodiments, connecting member 407 is tied to cable 410with a knot. In some embodiments, cable 410 may be a chain, one link ofwhich may be coupled with connecting member 407 by passing through aloop or by weld. There are many methods by which connecting member 407can be coupled with cable 410 without impacting the function of eithermember.

In some embodiments, the decoy spreader may be comprised of a fourth armarrangement 500. Arm arrangement 500 may be comprised of a tubularmember 501. Tubular member 501 has a hub end 502 and a far end 503, andit is hollow from the hub end to the far end. In some embodiments, thefar end may contain a grommet. In some embodiments, the grommet may be asingle piece. In some embodiments, the grommet may include an insertablepiece and a cap piece. In some embodiments, the far end may have aprotective coating. In some embodiments, the far end may have roundededges. In some embodiments, the far end may be configured to preventdestructive friction on a cable. In some embodiments, tubular member 501may be composed of two or more separable portions of substantially equallength and substantially equal diameter, as depicted in FIG. 7b . Insome embodiments, the separable portions may be of unequal length. Thisallows the decoy spreader to collapse for transportation and storage. Insome embodiments, these two portions may be joined by a ferrule. Thisferrule is not labeled in FIG. 7b , but it is identical to andinterchangeable with the parts labeled. In some embodiments, these twoportions may be joined by a male-female joint. In some embodiments,these two portions may be joined in any manner by which they areremovably coupled, such as threads, snaps, etc., without altering thefunction of tubular member 501. In some embodiments, arm arrangement 500may also include a cable 510. In an exemplary embodiment, cable 510 isdisposed through aperture 112 and through the hollow of tubular member501, coupling the tubular member with hub 100. In some embodiments,cable 510 is inelastic. In another embodiment, cable 510 is elastic. Insome embodiments, cable 510 may be comprised of more than one segment.In some embodiments, each segment may be elastic. In some embodiments,each segment may be inelastic. In some embodiments, some segments may beelastic while other segments are inelastic. The primary function ofcable 510 is to couple arm arrangement 500 with hub 100 such thattubular member 501 is removably coupleable with aperture 112. Cable 510may be any flexible material without altering the function of the cable.

In some embodiments, cable 410 and cable 510 may be a single cable. Inthis exemplary embodiment, cable 410 may be disposed through armarrangement 400, aperture 109, channel 111, aperture 112, and armarrangement 500. FIG. 4a is a depiction of this exemplary embodiment. Insome embodiments, cable 310 and cable 510 may be a single cable. FIG. 4bis a depiction of this exemplary embodiment.

In some embodiments, arm arrangement 500 may be further comprised of acylinder 504. Cylinder 504 is hollow from a first end 505 to a secondend 506, and may be of substantially the same diameter as tubular member501. In another embodiment, cylinder 504 may be a shorter length thantubular member 501. In some embodiments, cylinder 504 may besubstantially the same length as tubular member 501. In someembodiments, cylinder 504 may be longer than tubular member 501. In someembodiments, cylinder 504 is located at the far end of tubular member501. In some embodiments cylinder 504 is located between hub 100 andtubular member 501. In some embodiments, the first end may contain agrommet. In some embodiments, the grommet may be a single piece. In someembodiments, the grommet may include an insertable piece and a cappiece. In some embodiments, the first end may have a protective coating.In some embodiments, the first end may have rounded edges. The primaryfunction of cylinder 504 is to create a joint in the arm arrangement500. This permits hub 100 to float below the surface of the body ofwater while decoys float on the surface, disguising the hub and armarrangement 500 from the view of passing fowl. The secondary function ofcylinder 504 is to allow the decoy spreader to collapse fortransportation and storage. In some embodiments, cable 510 may bedisposed through aperture 104, through the hollow of tubular member 501,and through the hollow of cylinder 504, coupling the tubular member andcylinder with hub 100. In some embodiments, cable 510 may include aprotective element between tubular member 501 and cylinder 504, as seenin FIG. 6 a.

In another embodiment, arm arrangement 500 may have a connecting member507. In some embodiments, connecting member 507 may be an elasticmaterial. In some embodiments, connecting member 507 may be a rigidmaterial. In some embodiments, connecting member 507 is a loop 508. Loop508 may be a single member with a catch 509 at one end into which theopposite end can be removably inserted to form a closed loop. Loop 508may be a wire or any other semi-rigid material that allows the loop toopen and close into itself. In some embodiments, connecting member 507may be coupled with cable 510. In some embodiments, cable 510 isdisposed through a loop on connecting member 507 and then crimped tosecure connecting member 507 to arm arrangement 500. In someembodiments, connecting member 507 is coupled with cable 510 with acement. In some embodiments, connecting member 507 is tied to cable 510with a knot. In some embodiments, cable 510 may be a chain, one link ofwhich may be coupled with connecting member 507 by passing through aloop or by weld. There are many methods by which connecting member 507can be coupled with cable 510 without impacting the function of eithermember.

The present invention may be comprised of a plurality of armarrangements of similar configurations disclosed herein. This disclosureshould not be construed as limiting the number of arm arrangements tofour. The animated decoy spreader may in fact have any number of armarrangements connected with the hub.

The present invention may be comprised of a second hub 600. See FIG. 5.In one exemplary embodiment, hub 600 is a disk with a top surface 601, abottom surface 602, and a cylindrical edge 603. In another embodiment,the hub may be spherical, square, or any other shape without alteringthe function of the hub. Hub 600 may be any manner of rigid orsemi-rigid material, such as metal, wood, rubber, plastic, etc., withoutaltering the function of the hub. The primary function of hub 600 is tocentrally locate the decoy arrangement. The secondary function of hub600 is to sink into the body of water, rendering the hub and otherportions of the decoy spreader invisible to birds in flight. This willbe discussed in further detail in another portion of the specification.

In some embodiments, second hub 600 is further comprised of a firstaperture 604 on a first side 605. In some embodiments, aperture 604 maylead to a first channel 606, which terminates at a second aperture 607on a second side 608. In some embodiments, first side 605 and secondside 608 may be adjacent sides. In some embodiments, first side 605 maybe 180 degrees, or directly opposite, from second side 608. In someembodiments, hub 600 may have a third aperture 609 on a third side 610.In some embodiments, a third aperture 609 may lead to a second channel611, which terminates at a fourth aperture 612 on a fourth side 613 ofhub 600. In some embodiments, hub 100 may have a fifth, sixth, seventh,eighth, etc. aperture, and each aperture may lead to at least onechannel. This disclosure should not be construed as limiting the numberof apertures or channels available in a hub. In some embodiments, hub600 may have an eyelet 614, a loop, a hole, a ring, or some other meansby which the hub can be coupled with a cord, a string, or some otherflexible material. In some embodiments, hub 600 may include a pull cord615. In one embodiment, pull cord 615 may be an elastic cord. In someembodiments, pull cord 615 may be an inelastic cord. In someembodiments, pull cord 615 may be a flexible material, such as fishingline, bungee material, rope, etc. In some embodiments, pull cord 615 maybe a rigid material, such as metal, plastic, wood, etc. The function ofpull cord 615 is to allow hub 600 to be moved through the body of water,which induces movement in the decoy array. Pull cord 615 can be anymanner of material without impacting the function of the pull cord.

In some embodiments, the decoy spreader may be comprised of an anchor616 which sits on the bottom of the body of water. The function ofanchor 616 is to locate hub 600 and decoy arrangement in a particularplace in the body of water. In some embodiments, anchor 616 is coupledwith hub 600 via anchor cord 617, which may pass through a hub eyelet614 and an anchor eyelet 618. Anchor chord 617 may be an elastic or aninelastic flexible material. In one configuration, hub 600 is displacedvia pull cord 615, and then returned to the anchor location by anchorcord 617. This allows the decoy arrangement to move to and fro in thewater, simulating a natural swimming motion of water fowl. See FIG. 2.In another embodiment, anchor 616 is coupled with hub 600 with pull cord615. In this configuration, the decoy arrangement is pulled under thesurface of the water by some amount, simulating the natural feedingmotion of water fowl. See FIG. 3.

In some embodiments, the decoy spreader is further comprised of a fiftharm arrangement 700. Arm arrangement 700 may be comprised of a tubularmember 701. The tubular member 701 has a hub end 702 and a far end 703,and it is hollow from the hub end to the far end. In some embodiments,the far end may contain a grommet. In some embodiments, the grommet maybe a single piece. In some embodiments, the grommet may include aninsertable piece and a cap piece. In some embodiments, the far end mayhave a protective coating. In some embodiments, the far end may haverounded edges. In some embodiments, the far end may be configured toprevent destructive friction on a cable. In some embodiments, tubularmember 701 may be composed of two or more separable portions ofsubstantially equal length and substantially equal diameter, as depictedin FIG. 7b . In some embodiments, the separable portions may be ofunequal length. This allows the decoy spreader to collapse fortransportation and storage. In some embodiments, these two portions maybe joined by a ferrule. This ferrule is not labeled in FIG. 7b , but itis identical to and interchangeable with the parts labeled. In someembodiments, these two portions may be joined by a male-female joint. Insome embodiments, these two portions may be joined in any manner bywhich they are removably coupled, such as threads, snaps, etc., withoutaltering the function of tubular member 701. In some embodiments, armarrangement 700 may also include a cable 710. In an exemplaryembodiment, cable 710 is disposed through aperture 604 and through thehollow of tubular member 701, coupling the tubular member with hub 600.In some embodiments, cable 710 is inelastic. In another embodiment,cable 710 is elastic. In some embodiments, cable 710 may be comprised ofmore than one segment. In some embodiments, each segment may be elastic.In some embodiments, each segment may be inelastic. In some embodiments,some segments may be elastic while other segments are inelastic. Theprimary function of cable 710 is to couple arm arrangement 700 with hub600 such that tubular member 701 is removably coupleable with aperture604. Cable 710 may be any flexible material without altering thefunction of the cable.

In some embodiments, arm arrangement 700 may be further comprised of acylinder 704. Cylinder 704 is hollow from a first end 705 to a secondend 706, and may be of substantially the same diameter as tubular member701. In another embodiment, cylinder 704 may be a shorter length thantubular member 701. In some embodiments, cylinder 704 may besubstantially the same length as tubular member 701. In someembodiments, cylinder 704 may be longer than tubular member 701. In someembodiments, cylinder 704 is located at the far end of tubular member701. In some embodiments cylinder 704 is located between hub 600 andtubular member 701. In some embodiments, the first end may contain agrommet. In some embodiments, the grommet may be a single piece. In someembodiments, the grommet may include an insertable piece and a cappiece. In some embodiments, the first end may have a protective coating.In some embodiments, the first end may have rounded edges. The primaryfunction of cylinder 704 is to create a joint in arm arrangement 700.This permits hub 600 to float below the surface of the body of waterwhile decoys float on the surface, disguising the hub and armarrangement 700 from the view of passing fowl. The secondary function ofcylinder 704 is to allow the decoy spreader to collapse fortransportation and storage. In some embodiments, cable 710 may bedisposed through aperture 604, through the hollow of tubular member 701,and through the hollow of cylinder 704, coupling the tubular member andcylinder with hub 600. In some embodiments, cable 710 may include aprotective element between tubular member 701 and cylinder 704, as seenin FIG. 6 a.

In another embodiment, arm arrangement 700 may have a connecting member707. In some embodiments, connecting member 707 may be an elasticmaterial. In some embodiments, connecting member 707 may be a rigidmaterial. In another embodiment, connecting member 707 is a loop 708.Loop 708 may be a single member with a catch 709 at one end into whichthe opposite end can be removably inserted to form a closed loop. Loop708 may be a wire or any other semi-rigid material that allows the loopto open and close into itself. In some embodiments, connecting member707 may be coupled with cable 710. In some embodiments, cable 710 isdisposed through a loop on connecting member 707 and then crimped tosecure connecting member 707 to arm arrangement 700. In someembodiments, connecting member 707 is coupled with cable 710 with acement. In some embodiments, connecting member 707 is tied to cable 710with a knot. In some embodiments, cable 710 may be a chain, one link ofwhich may be coupled with connecting member 707 by passing through aloop or by weld. There are many methods by which connecting member 707can be coupled with cable 710 without impacting the function of eithermember.

In some embodiments, the decoy spreader may be comprised of a sixth armarrangement 800. Arm arrangement 800 may be comprised of a tubularmember 801. Tubular member 801 has a hub end 802 and a far end 803, andit is hollow from the hub end to the far end. In some embodiments, thefar end may contain a grommet. In some embodiments, the grommet may be asingle piece. In some embodiments, the grommet may include an insertablepiece and a cap piece. In some embodiments, the far end may have aprotective coating. In some embodiments, the far end may have roundededges. In some embodiments, the far end may be configured to preventdestructive friction on a cable. In some embodiments, tubular member 801may be composed of two or more separable portions of substantially equallength and substantially equal diameter, as depicted in FIG. 7b . Insome embodiments, the separable portions may be of unequal length. Thisallows the decoy spreader to collapse for transportation and storage. Insome embodiments, these two portions may be joined by a ferrule. Thisferrule is not labeled in FIG. 7b , but it is identical to andinterchangeable with the parts labeled. In some embodiments, these twoportions may be joined by a male-female joint. In some embodiments,these two portions may be joined in any manner by which they areremovably coupled, such as threads, snaps, etc., without altering thefunction of tubular member 801. In some embodiments, arm arrangement 800may also include a cable 810. In an exemplary embodiment, cable 810 isdisposed through aperture 607 and through the hollow of tubular member801, coupling the tubular member with hub 600. In some embodiments,cable 810 is inelastic. In another embodiment, cable 810 is elastic. Insome embodiments, cable 810 may be comprised of more than one segment.In some embodiments, each segment may be elastic. In some embodiments,each segment may be inelastic. In some embodiments, some segments may beelastic while other segments are inelastic. The primary function ofcable 810 is to couple arm arrangement 800 with hub 600 such thattubular member 801 is removably coupleable with aperture 607. Cable 810may be any flexible material without altering the function of the cable.

In some embodiments, cable 710 and cable 810 may be a single cable. Inthis exemplary embodiment, cable 710 may be disposed through armarrangement 700, aperture 604, channel 606, aperture 607, and armarrangement 800. FIG. 4a is a depiction of this exemplary embodiment. Insome embodiments, cable 710 and cable 910 may be a single cable. FIG. 4bis a depiction of this exemplary embodiment.

In some embodiments, arm arrangement 800 may be further comprised of acylinder 804. Cylinder 804 is hollow from a first end 805 to a secondend 806, and may be of substantially the same diameter as tubular member801. In another embodiment, cylinder 804 may be a shorter length thantubular member 801. In some embodiments, cylinder 804 may besubstantially the same length as tubular member 801. In someembodiments, cylinder 804 may be longer than tubular member 801. In someembodiments, cylinder 804 is located at the far end of tubular member801. In some embodiments cylinder 804 is located between hub 600 andtubular member 801. In some embodiments, the first end may contain agrommet. In some embodiments, the grommet may be a single piece. In someembodiments, the grommet may include an insertable piece and a cappiece. In some embodiments, the first end may have a protective coating.In some embodiments, the first end may have rounded edges. The primaryfunction of cylinder 804 is to create a joint in arm arrangement 800.This permits hub 600 to float below the surface of the body of waterwhile decoys float on the surface, disguising the hub and armarrangement 800 from the view of passing fowl. The secondary function ofcylinder 804 is to allow the decoy spreader to collapse fortransportation and storage. In some embodiments, cable 810 may bedisposed through aperture 604, through the hollow of tubular member 801,and through the hollow of cylinder 804, coupling the tubular member andcylinder with hub 600. In some embodiments, cable 810 may include aprotective element between tubular member 801 and cylinder 804, as seenin FIG. 6 a.

In another embodiment, arm arrangement 800 may have a connecting member807. In some embodiments, connecting member 807 may be an elasticmaterial. In some embodiments, connecting member 807 may be a rigidmaterial. In another embodiment, connecting member 807 is a loop 808.Loop 808 may be a single member with a catch 809 at one end into whichthe opposite end can be removably inserted to form a closed loop. Loop808 may be a wire or any other semi-rigid material that allows the loopto open and close into itself. In some embodiments, connecting member807 may be coupled with cable 810. In some embodiments, cable 810 isdisposed through a loop on connecting member 807 and then crimped tosecure connecting member 807 to arm arrangement 800. In someembodiments, connecting member 807 is coupled with cable 810 with acement. In some embodiments, connecting member 807 is tied to cable 810with a knot. In some embodiments, cable 810 may be a chain, one link ofwhich may be coupled with connecting member 807 by passing through aloop or by weld. There are many methods by which connecting member 807can be coupled with cable 810 without impacting the function of eithermember.

In some embodiments, the decoy spreader may have a seventh armarrangement 900. Arm arrangement 900 may be comprised of a tubularmember 901. Tubular member 901 has a hub end 902 and a far end 903, andit is hollow from the hub end to the far end. In some embodiments, thefar end may contain a grommet. In some embodiments, the grommet may be asingle piece. In some embodiments, the grommet may include an insertablepiece and a cap piece. In some embodiments, the far end may have aprotective coating. In some embodiments, the far end may have roundededges. In some embodiments, the far end may be configured to preventdestructive friction on a cable. In some embodiments, tubular member 901may be composed of two or more separable portions of substantially equallength and substantially equal diameter, as depicted in FIG. 7b . Insome embodiments, the separable portions may be of unequal length. Thisallows the decoy spreader to collapse for transportation and storage. Insome embodiments, these two portions may be joined by a ferrule. Thisferrule is not labeled in FIG. 7b , but it is identical to andinterchangeable with the parts labeled. In some embodiments, these twoportions may be joined by a male-female joint. In some embodiments,these two portions may be joined in any manner by which they areremovably coupled, such as threads, snaps, etc., without altering thefunction of tubular member 901. In some embodiments, arm arrangement 900may also include a cable 910. In an exemplary embodiment, cable 910 isdisposed through aperture 609 and through the hollow of tubular member901, coupling the tubular member with hub 600. In some embodiments,cable 910 is inelastic. In another embodiment, cable 910 is elastic. Insome embodiments, cable 910 may be comprised of more than one segment.In some embodiments, each segment may be elastic. In some embodiments,each segment may be inelastic. In some embodiments, some segments may beelastic while other segments are inelastic. The primary function ofcable 910 is to couple arm arrangement 900 with hub 600 such thattubular member 901 is removably coupleable with aperture 604. Cable 910may be any flexible material without altering the function of the cable.

In some embodiments, arm arrangement 900 may be further comprised of acylinder 904. Cylinder 904 is hollow from a first end 905 to a secondend 906, and may be of substantially the same diameter as tubular member901. In another embodiment, cylinder 904 may be a shorter length thantubular member 901. In some embodiments, cylinder 904 may besubstantially the same length as tubular member 901. In someembodiments, cylinder 904 may be longer than tubular member 901. In someembodiments, cylinder 904 is located at the far end of tubular member901. In some embodiments cylinder 904 is located between hub 600 andtubular member 901. In some embodiments, the first end may contain agrommet. In some embodiments, the grommet may be a single piece. In someembodiments, the grommet may include an insertable piece and a cappiece. In some embodiments, the first end may have a protective coating.In some embodiments, the first end may have rounded edges. The primaryfunction of cylinder 904 is to create a joint in arm arrangement 900.This permits hub 600 to float below the surface of the body of waterwhile decoys float on the surface, disguising the hub and armarrangement 900 from the view of passing fowl. The secondary function ofcylinder 904 is to allow the decoy spreader to collapse fortransportation and storage. In some embodiments, cable 910 may bedisposed through aperture 609, through the hollow of tubular member 901,and through the hollow of cylinder 904, coupling the tubular member andcylinder with hub 600. In some embodiments, cable 910 may include aprotective element between tubular member 901 and cylinder 904, as seenin FIG. 6 a.

In another embodiment, arm arrangement 900 may have a connecting member907. In some embodiments, connecting member 907 may be an elasticmaterial. In some embodiments, connecting member 907 may be a rigidmaterial. In another embodiment, connecting member 907 is a loop 908.Loop 908 may be a single member with a catch 909 at one end into whichthe opposite end can be removably inserted to form a closed loop. Loop908 may be a wire or any other semi-rigid material that allows the loopto open and close into itself. In some embodiments, connecting member907 may be coupled with cable 910. In some embodiments, cable 910 isdisposed through a loop on connecting member 907 and then crimped tosecure connecting member 907 to arm arrangement 900. In someembodiments, connecting member 907 is coupled with cable 910 with acement. In some embodiments, connecting member 907 is tied to cable 910with a knot. In some embodiments, cable 910 may be a chain, one link ofwhich may be coupled with connecting member 907 by passing through aloop or by weld. There are many methods by which connecting member 907can be coupled with cable 910 without impacting the function of eithermember.

In some embodiments, the decoy spreader may be comprised of an eightharm arrangement 1000. Arm arrangement 1000 may be comprised of a tubularmember 1001. Tubular member 1001 has a hub end 1002 and a far end 1003,and it is hollow from the hub end to the far end. In some embodiments,the far end may contain a grommet. In some embodiments, the grommet maybe a single piece. In some embodiments, the grommet may include aninsertable piece and a cap piece. In some embodiments, the far end mayhave a protective coating. In some embodiments, the far end may haverounded edges. In some embodiments, the far end may be configured toprevent destructive friction on a cable. In some embodiments, tubularmember 1001 may be composed of two or more separable portions ofsubstantially equal length and substantially equal diameter, as depictedin FIG. 7b . In some embodiments, the separable portions may be ofunequal length. This allows the decoy spreader to collapse fortransportation and storage. In some embodiments, these two portions maybe joined by a ferrule. This ferrule is not labeled in FIG. 7b , but itis identical to and interchangeable with the parts labeled. In someembodiments, these two portions may be joined by a male-female joint. Insome embodiments, these two portions may be joined in any manner bywhich they are removably coupled, such as threads, snaps, etc., withoutaltering the function of tubular member 1001. In some embodiments, armarrangement 1000 may also include a cable 1010. In an exemplaryembodiment, cable 1010 is disposed through aperture 612 and through thehollow of tubular member 1001, coupling the tubular member with hub 600.In some embodiments, cable 1010 is inelastic. In another embodiment,cable 1010 is elastic. In some embodiments, cable 1010 may be comprisedof more than one segment. In some embodiments, each segment may beelastic. In some embodiments, each segment may be inelastic. In someembodiments, some segments may be elastic while other segments areinelastic. The primary function of cable 1010 is to couple armarrangement 1000 with hub 600 such that tubular member 1001 is removablycoupleable with aperture 612. Cable 1010 may be any flexible materialwithout altering the function of the cable.

In some embodiments, cable 910 and cable 1010 may be a single cable. Inthis exemplary embodiment, cable 910 may be disposed through armarrangement 900, aperture 609, channel 611, aperture 612, and armarrangement 1000. FIG. 4a is a depiction of this exemplary embodiment.In some embodiments, cable 710 and cable 1010 may be a single cable.FIG. 4b is a depiction of this exemplary embodiment.

In some embodiments, arm arrangement 1000 may be further comprised of acylinder 1004. Cylinder 1004 is hollow from a first end 1005 to a secondend 1006, and may be of substantially the same diameter as tubularmember 1001. In another embodiment, cylinder 1004 may be a shorterlength than tubular member 1001. In some embodiments, cylinder 1004 maybe substantially the same length as tubular member 1001. In someembodiments, cylinder 1004 may be longer than tubular member 1001. Insome embodiments, cylinder 1004 is located at the far end of tubularmember 1001. In some embodiments cylinder 1004 is located between hub600 and tubular member 1001. In some embodiments, the first end maycontain a grommet. In some embodiments, the grommet may be a singlepiece. In some embodiments, the grommet may include an insertable pieceand a cap piece. In some embodiments, the first end may have aprotective coating. In some embodiments, the first end may have roundededges. The primary function of cylinder 1004 is to create a joint in armarrangement 1000. This permits hub 600 to float below the surface of thebody of water while decoys float on the surface, disguising the hub andarm arrangement 1000 from the view of passing fowl. The secondaryfunction of cylinder 1004 is to allow the decoy spreader to collapse fortransportation and storage. In some embodiments, cable 1010 may bedisposed through aperture 604, through the hollow of tubular member1001, and through the hollow of cylinder 1004, coupling the tubularmember and cylinder with hub 600. In some embodiments, cable 1010 mayinclude a protective element between tubular member 1001 and cylinder1004, as seen in FIG. 6 a.

In another embodiment, arm arrangement 1000 may have a connecting member1007. In some embodiments, connecting member 1007 may be an elasticmaterial. In some embodiments, connecting member 1007 may be a rigidmaterial. In another embodiment, connecting member 1007 is a loop 1008.Loop 1008 may be a single member with a catch 1009 at one end into whichthe opposite end can be removably inserted to form a closed loop. Loop1008 may be a wire or any other semi-rigid material that allows the loopto open and close into itself. In some embodiments, connecting member1007 may be coupled with cable 1010. In some embodiments, cable 1010 isdisposed through a loop on connecting member 1007 and then crimped tosecure connecting member 1007 to arm arrangement 1000. In someembodiments, connecting member 1007 is coupled with cable 1010 with acement. In some embodiments, connecting member 1007 is tied to cable1010 with a knot. In some embodiments, cable 1010 may be a chain, onelink of which may be coupled with connecting member 1007 by passingthrough a loop or by weld. There are many methods by which connectingmember 1007 can be coupled with cable 1010 without impacting thefunction of either member.

The present invention may be comprised of a plurality of armarrangements of similar configurations disclosed herein. This disclosureshould not be construed as limiting the number of arm arrangements tofour. The animated decoy spreader may in fact have any number of armarrangements connected with the hub.

In some embodiments, the decoy spreader may be comprised of hubs 100 and600, and between one and eight arm arrangements. In one embodiment, hub100 and hub 600 may each have two arm arrangements, and an armarrangement of hub 100 may be coupled with an arm arrangement of hub600. For example, in one embodiment, a first half of the spreader may becomprised of hub 100 and arm arrangements 200 and 500, and a second halfof the spreader may be comprised of hub 600 and arm arrangements 800 and900. In a further embodiment, arm arrangement 200 may be combined witharm arrangement 800 by passing cable 210 and cable 810 through cylinder204 and coupling both with connecting member 207. In another embodiment,arm arrangements 200 and 800 are complete, and both are simply attachedto a single decoy. It should be understood that the chosen armarrangements are exemplary only, and that any arm arrangements extendingfrom hub 100 and hub 600 may be coupled.

In another exemplary embodiment, arm arrangement 500 may be coupled witharm arrangement 900 with a connector bar 911. See FIG. 8. In someembodiments, connector bar 911 may be of substantially the same lengthas tubular member 901. In some embodiments, connector bar 911 may belonger than tubular member 901. In some embodiments, connector bar 911may be shorter than tubular member 901. Connector bar 911 may be anyrigid material, such as metal, plastic, wood, etc., without altering thefunction of connector bar 911. In some embodiments, connector bar 911may be composed of or more two separable portions of substantially equallength and substantially equal diameter. In some embodiments, these twoportions may be joined by a ferrule. In some embodiments, these twoportions may be joined by a male-female joint. In some embodiments,these two portions may be joined in any manner by which they areremovably coupled, such as threads, snaps, etc., without altering thefunction of connector bar 911. In some embodiments, connector bar 911may be used in place of pull cord 115 or 615, such that only one pullcord remains. It should be understood that the chosen arm arrangementsare exemplary only, and that any arm arrangements extending from hub 100and hub 600 may be coupled.

In some embodiments, hub 100 may be coupled with hub 600 with aconnector cord 619. See FIG. 9. In some embodiments, connector cord 619may be an elastic material. In some embodiments, connector cord 619 maybe an inelastic material. Connector cord 619 may be any manner offlexible material. In some embodiments, connector cord 619 may bedisposed through eyelet 114 and eyelet 614. In some embodiments,connector cord 619 may be used in place of pull cord 115 or 615, suchthat only one pull cord remains. In some embodiments, hub 100 may havecoupled with it arm arrangements 200 through 500. In some embodiments,hub 100 may have fewer than four arm arrangements. In some embodiments,hub 600 may have coupled with it arm arrangements 700 through 1000. Insome embodiments, hub 600 may have fewer than four arm arrangements. Insome embodiments, hub 600 may have more than four arm arrangements. Asstated elsewhere herein, this disclosure should not be construed aslimiting the number of arm arrangements.

In an exemplary configuration, hub 100 may be coupled with hub 600 witha connector cord 619. Hub 100 may be coupled with anchor 116 via elasticanchor cord 117, and hub 100 may sit approximately directly above anchor116. Hub 600 may be coupled with pull cord 615. Hubs 100 and 600 aredisplaced horizontally via pull cord 615. Because cables 210, 310, 410,510, 710, 810, 910, and 1010 are flexible, the motion created in thedecoys is nearly random. This effect is amplified if the cables areelastic. Moreover, because only one hub is being pulled via the pullcord, the second hub is able move more randomly, adding to therandomness of the motion of the decoys. When the tension on pull cord615 is released, hubs 100 and 600 return to their original positions,again creating nearly random motion in the decoys and simulating theswimming motion of living water fowl.

In an exemplary embodiment, hub 100 is coupled with arm arrangements200, 300, 400, and 500. Cables 210, 310, 410, and 510, and anchor cord117 are elastic members, and anchor cord 117 is coupled with hub 100 andanchor 116. Anchor 116 is placed on the bottom of the body of water, andhub 100 is initially located approximately directly above anchor 116.Hub 100 is displaced horizontally via pull cord 115. Because cables 210,310, 410, and 510 are elastic, the motion created in the decoys isnearly random. When the tension on pull cord 115 is released, hub 100returns to a location approximately directly over anchor 116, againcreating a nearly random motion in the decoys, simulating living fowlswimming on the surface of the body of water. See FIG. 2. It should beunderstood that cables 210, 310, 410, and 510 may be inelastic andcreate a similar effect. It should be understood that hub and armarrangements chosen for this example can be interchangeable with anyother hub or arm arrangement without altering the function of thespreader.

In another exemplary embodiment, hub 100 is coupled with only two armarrangements, for example arrangements 200 and 400. Anchor 116 is placedon the bottom of the body of water, and it is coupled with hub 100 viathe pull cord, which passes through the hub eyelet 114 and anchor eyelet118, instead of directly to the hub as in the previous example. In thisconfiguration, the hub is displaced vertically, which pulls the armarrangements further into the water. This simulates the diving motionthat water fowl exhibit when they feed. See FIG. 3.

The primary function of connecting hubs 100 and 600 is to createadditional random motion in the decoy spreader, allowing for an evenmore natural simulation of water fowl swimming. In an exemplaryembodiment, hub 100 is coupled with arm arrangements 200 through 500,and hub 600 is coupled with arm arrangements 700 through 1000. Cables210, 310, 410, 510, 710, 810, 910, and 1010 and anchor cord 117 areelastic members. Arm arrangement 200 is coupled with arm arrangement 800via the decoy. Arm arrangement 500 is coupled with arm arrangement 900via connector bar 911. See FIG. 8. Hub 100 is coupled with anchor 116via elastic anchor cord 117, and hub 100 sits approximately directlyabove anchor 116. Hub 600 is coupled with pull cord 615. Hubs 100 and600 are displaced horizontally via pull cord 615. Because cables 210,310, 410, 510, 710, 810, 910, and 1010 are flexible, the motion createdin the decoys is nearly random. This effect is amplified if the cablesare elastic. Moreover, because only one hub is being pulled via the pullcord, the second hub is able move more randomly, adding to therandomness of the motion of the decoys. When the tension on pull cord615 is released, hubs 100 and 600 return to their original positions,again creating nearly random motion in the decoys and simulating theswimming motion of living water fowl. It should be understood thateither hub 100 or 600 could be connected to the anchor, that eitheranchor 116 or 616 could be used, and that either pull cord 115 or 615could be used. It should also be understood that the arm arrangementsfrom each hub coupled together could be any number of arrangements,given that the arm arrangements coupled via the decoy are proximate tothe arm arrangements coupled by the connector bar.

In some embodiments, hubs 100 and 600 may be coupled with additionalhubs, each additional hub having a plurality of arm arrangements. Eachset of hub and arm arrangements adds to the randomness of the motion ofthe decoys, and this disclosure should not be construed as limiting thenumber of hubs to be coupled to complete an array.

In general, it should be noted that hubs 100 and 600 areinterchangeable, and that any of the arm arrangements areinterchangeable with one another. Numbering in the figures and thisspecification is for illustration only.

While particular aspects of the present subject matter described hereinhave been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled inthe art that, based upon the teachings herein, changes and modificationsmay be made without departing from the subject matter described hereinand its broader aspects and, therefore, the appended claims are toencompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as arewithin the true spirit and scope of this subject matter describedherein. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the invention isdefined by the appended claims. It will be understood by those withinthe art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in theappended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generallyintended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should beinterpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” shouldbe interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should beinterpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will befurther understood by those within the art that if a specific number ofan introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will beexplicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitationno such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, thefollowing appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases“at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations.However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply thatthe introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or“an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claimrecitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even whenthe same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “atleast one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or“an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one ormore”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used tointroduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number ofan introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled inthe art will recognize that such recitation should typically beinterpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the barerecitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typicallymeans at least two recitations, or two or more recitations).Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “atleast one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a constructionis intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understandthe convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C”would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone,C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A,B, and C together, etc.).

While preferred and alternative embodiments of the invention have beenillustrated and described, as noted above, many changes can be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited by the disclosureof these preferred and alternate embodiments. Instead, the inventionshould be determined entirely by reference to the claims that follow.

1.-20. (canceled)
 21. A decoy spreader, comprising: at least a first huband a second hub, the hubs each including at least one aperture; atleast a first arm arrangement coupled with the first hub, including atleast: a tubular member, the tubular member including at least a far endand a hub end, the hub end removably received by the at least oneaperture of the hub, the tubular member being hollow from the far end tothe hub end; and a connecting member, the connecting member located atthe far end of the tubular member; at least a second arm arrangement,the second arm arrangement configured like the first arm arrangement andcoupled with the second hub; a first cable, the first cable coupled withthe connecting member of the first arm arrangement and disposed throughthe hollow of the first arm arrangement and the at least one aperture ofthe first hub; a second cable, the second cable coupled with theconnecting member of the second arm arrangement and disposed through thehollow of the second arm arrangement and the at least one aperture ofthe second hub; and a connector bar, the connector bar coupled to thefar end of the first arm arrangement and the far end of the second armarrangement.
 22. The decoy spreader of claim 21, wherein the first armarrangement further comprises: a cylinder, the cylinder having a shorterlength than the tubular member and being hollow from a first end of thecylinder to a second end of the cylinder wherein the cord is coupledwith the connecting member and then disposed through the hollow of thecylinder, the hollow of the tubular member, and the at least oneaperture of the hub.
 23. The decoy spreader of claim 21, wherein thetubular member is further comprised of: a first portion and a secondportion, wherein the first portion and the second portion are ofsubstantially equal length; and a ferrule, the ferrule disposed at thefar end of the first portion and the hub end of the second portion. 24.The decoy spreader of claim 23, wherein the ferrule is disposed at thefar end of the first portion and the hub end of the second portion ofthe tubular member such that the two portions of the tubular member canbe removably coupled
 25. The decoy spreader of claim 21, wherein theconnecting member further comprises: a wire, at one end of which is acatch into which the other end is inserted to form a closed loop; and aneyelet, wherein the cord is disposed through the eyelet.
 26. The decoyspreader of claim 21, wherein the first hub and the second hub, the hubsincluding at least one aperture each comprise: a disk, including atleast a top surface, a bottom surface, and an edge defining acylindrical shape, the edge including the at least one aperture.
 27. Thedecoy spreader of claim 21, wherein the first hub and the second hub,the hubs including at least one aperture each comprise: a channel with afirst end on a first side of the hub and a second end on a second sideof the hub.
 28. The decoy spreader of claim 26, further comprising: thefirst hub and the second hub, each hub including at least a firstchannel and a second channel; at least a first arm arrangement and asecond arm arrangement; and a cable, the cable coupled with theconnecting member of the first arm arrangement, then disposed throughthe hollow of the first arm arrangement, the first channel, the hollowof the second arm arrangement, and coupled with the connecting member ofthe second arm arrangement.
 29. The decoy spreader of claim 21, whereinthe cable is elastic.
 30. The decoy spreader of claim 21, furthercomprising: an anchor; and a cord coupling the anchor with at least oneof the first hub or the second hub.
 31. The decoy spreader of claim 30,wherein the cord coupling the anchor with at least one of the first hubor the second hub comprises: an inelastic anchor cord disposed through aloop on the anchor and through a loop on a surface of at least one ofthe first hub or the second hub.
 32. The decoy spreader of claim 30,wherein the cord coupling the anchor with at least one of the first hubor the second hub is further disposed through a handle.
 33. The decoyspreader of claim 30, wherein the cord coupling the anchor with at leastone of the first hub or the second hub comprises: an elastic anchor corddisposed through a loop on the anchor and through a loop on a surface ofat least one of the first hub or the second hub.
 34. The decoy spreaderof claim 33, wherein the cord coupling the anchor with the hub isfurther disposed through a handle.
 35. The decoy spreader of claim 21,wherein the cable coupling the connecting member of the first armarrangement and the connecting member of the second arm arrangement iselastic.
 36. The decoy spreader of claim 21, wherein the cable couplingthe connecting member of the first arm arrangement and the connectingmember of the second arm arrangement is further comprised of: a firstsegment disposed through the first arm arrangement and coupled with thehub; and a second segment disposed through the second arm arrangementand coupled with the hub.